Coast Guard calls off search for missing sailors

The U.S. Coast Guard announced Sunday morning that it had suspended the search for sailors missing about 1,000 miles east of Cape Cod.

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capecodtimes.com

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Posted May. 19, 2014 at 2:00 AM
Updated May 19, 2014 at 6:19 AM

Posted May. 19, 2014 at 2:00 AM
Updated May 19, 2014 at 6:19 AM

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The U.S. Coast Guard announced Sunday morning that it had suspended the search for sailors missing about 1,000 miles east of Cape Cod.

The 1st Coast Guard District command center in Boston was contacted at about 12:30 a.m. Friday about two personal locator beacons registered to the 39-foot United Kingdom-flagged Cheeki Rafiki sailboat, according to a statement from the Coast Guard.

The sailboat's agent in the U.K. told the Coast Guard that the last message received from the crew on Friday stated it was taking on water with four people onboard, according to the statement.

Coast Guard aircraft from North Carolina and Georgia as well as Canadian and commercial aircraft and ships searched about 4,146 square miles for the sailboat's crew, according to the statement

At about noon Saturday, the crew from the Maersk Kure found an overturned hull that matched the description of the Cheeki Rafiki but there was no sign of the sailors, according to the statement.

There were 30-knot winds and 13- to 15-foot seas at the scene, according to the statement.

"We appreciate the assistance of the U.S. Air Force, Canadian and the three merchant vessels helping us to conduct a thorough search so far from shore," 1st Coast Guard District Chief of Response Capt. Anthony Popiel said in the statement. "We are extremely disappointed that we were not able to locate the sailors during the course of this extensive search. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time."

The four sailors were experienced yachtsmen and were believed to be delivering the sailboat back to the U.K. after a regatta in the Caribbean, according to the BBC.